“I do. Sorry about that. I’m still learning. Though I have to admit, I don’t feel intimidated by you. You’re more like an equal to me.” Andrew furrowed his brows. “I’d still like to know how you can get rich working from home. That sounds like one of those cheap ads on the web,How to Make Five Thousands Dollars a Week!”
Tim grinned. “Well, it was a combination of extraordinary skill and some luck. I started out as a freelance accountant and since I’m very good at my job, I soon had some big clients. Some of the companies I work for do belong to Richard Miller, by the way. As for the stroke of luck, I played around with investing for a bit, and what can I say, right place, right time. A start-up I cofinanced with a bunch of other people shot through the roof, and now it’s just a matter of seeing to it that the money keeps growing. I also still do the accounting, but that’s for fun.”
“Wow.” Andrew blinked a few times, trying to match what he had just learned with the man he saw standing in front of him. Then he suddenly shook his head. “Sorry, I just can’t see you as some rich snob with a golden spoon up his ass. You’re more the Bad Boy with no money but lots of attitude.”
Tim barked out a laugh. “As compliments go, I’ve had worse. Thank you. Now please give me another plate of the same. They’re delicious.”
Andrew lifted a brow. “You know I’m going to charge you full now that I know you can easily afford it, don’t you?”
The broad grin on Tim’s face told Andrew their friendship still stood on the same firm footing as in the beginning. “Why do you think that is? Because I freeload whenever I get the chance. The devil’s in the details, and saving pennies can make you rich.”
“Not on my tab, my friend. Forget it.”
They both started laughing and couldn’t stop until the next customer came in.
Chapter 19
CURTIS TOOKone more look at the text from Andrew while Martin tried to maneuver his monstrosity of a car into a parking space. To the background of muttered curses, he reread the words for the hundredth time.Good luck tonight, darling. I’m thinking of you. Love, Andrew.Curtis sighed. They had talked on the phone for over an hour before Martin came to pick him up, and he already missed his Dom. His partner. Tonight couldn’t be over soon enough.
“Hey, Curtis, are you done daydreaming?” Martin had finally managed to park the car.
“Yes, of course. Sorry, Martin.”
“Don’t mention it. This is rather unpleasant business.”
Curtis exited the car, head held high. “Let’s get it over with.”
They entered the restaurant where an impeccably dressed hostess in a black pencil skirt, a crisp white blouse, and killer stilettos greeted them with a cheerful smile. “Good evening, sirs. Do you have a reservation?”
Curtis nodded. “We’re here with Jasper O’Malley.”
She looked at her list for the evening, brows furrowed. “I’m sorry, sir, there is no reservation in that name.”
“Could it be he was only playing with you?” Martin sounded like he was going from annoyed to pissed off in the fast lane. Curtis shook his head.
“No. I got the impression he was rather desperate. He would know that asking me to come here and then not showing would be the single dumbest thing to do. Unless….” Curtis smiled at the hostess. “Unless the reservation was made for Curtis Morris.”
She checked the list again. “Yes, here you are. A place for two.” She looked between Martin and him. “If the reservation was made for two, who is the gentleman I have already seated there?”
“That would be the asshole who made the reservation in Curtis’s name.” She gasped at Martin’s rudeness, but for once Curtis didn’t feel the need to smooth things over. Jasper’s gall made him speechless.
“Can you show us to the table, please?” Martin seemed to remember his manners, though it always astounded Curtis how much Martin could get away with in public simply because he was built like a tank and had the aura of a mobster.
“Of course. Please follow me, sirs.” She led the way to a secluded part of the restaurant where the tables were shielded by wrought-iron room dividers that were covered in thick brocade of different earth tones. Since Curtis could easily see over the head of their hostess, he had the pure joy of watching Jasper’s face going from carefully crafted friendliness to utter shock to a mask of cold politeness when he realized Curtis hadn’t come alone.
“Jasper, what a pleasure to meet you.” Curtis had no problem laying it on thick. Thankfully, this was America, where his overly cheerful tone would be interpreted as enthusiasm, not as the scolding sarcasm it was meant to be. Jasper flinched. He was aware of all the things Curtis hadn’t said out loud.
“What’s he doing here? This was meant to be a private meeting, Curtis.” Obviously, his shock wasn’t too deep.
“After I got your charming invitation, I consulted my lawyer. She advised me to bring a witness to our meeting, just to be on the safe side. Patty says thank you for the chocolate, by the way. I’m sure you remember Martin Carmichael from Whisper?”
Curtis took a step aside to let Martin stand next to him. Martin extended his hand, and out of habit, Jasper took it. If the way he winced was anything to go by, Martin had given him the pissing contest handshake. Jasper could count himself lucky that his hand wasn’t broken.
“Hello, Jasper. I can’t say it’s nice seeing you again.” Martin let go of Jasper’s hand and pulled out a chair for Curtis while the hostess watched in horrified fascination.
“Could you please bring us an additional place setting?” Curtis knew he was being slightly rude reminding her of her duties like this, but he wanted to get on with this unpleasantness. Once the hostess was gone, he glared at Jasper.
“Thank you for making the reservation in my name, by the way.”
